Aarohi And Dev

CHAPTER 34

Dev POV

Now, as I received her text confirming she was home safe, I felt a sense of relief. Lying on the bed, I recalled the moment when she was so close yet so far, pinned against the wall. Her erratic breath had nearly driven me mad, but I had resolved not to do anything that would make her uncomfortable.

I texted her goodnight and lay on the bed, lost in thoughts of the day. Suddenly, a notification sound snapped me back.

Aarohi: Wait. Are you sleeping?

Seeing her text, I immediately felt a surge of worry and anxiety. What could be the reason behind her message? I quickly replied.

Me: No, I'm still awake. Is everything okay?

Waiting for her text, I grew restless, breaking from my usual patient self. My mind raced with various scenarios, each more troubling than the last. The seconds felt like hours as I stared at the screen, willing to light up with her reply.

Finally, my phone buzzed with a notification.

Aarohi: Can we talk for a bit?

Her message eased the tension inside me, and a smile flashed across my face. She was making an effort, and maybe, just maybe, she had started to like me.

Me: Of course. Call me. I'm here for you.

As we talked, we didn’t notice how the night grew darker. Engrossed in our conversation, we shared our thoughts and feelings. I observed with delight as she gradually overcame her shyness, becoming more comfortable and open with me. Her growing ease in expressing herself was heartwarming.

Only God knows how much I cherished these moments, listening to her voice and hearing her thoughts. The depth of my feelings for her grew with every word exchanged, making this night unforgettable.

As she stopped talking, I realized she must have fallen asleep. Her soft, steady breaths on the line drove me crazy, even through the call. Reluctant to hang up, I left the call connected and fell asleep with her.

My sleepy queen. My Love.

Waking up the next morning, I felt more rested than I had in a long time. It was one of the most peaceful sleeps I had ever experienced. I glanced at my phone, knowing my battery must have drained overnight. Smiling, I set my phone on charging and began my day, feeling a sense of calm and happiness that lingered from our conversation.

As I got ready and descended the stairs, I was met with utter chaos. Mom was frantically shutting the door, Devika was anxiously talking on the phone, and Aman was nervously attending a Online meeting on the couch.

“What’s going on?” I demanded loudly. Their heads snapped towards me, and they all yelled simultaneously, "Dev!" "Bhaiya!" "Beta!"

“Are you cheating on Bhabhi?” Devika and Aman rushed toward me, bombarding me with questions and accusations that left me momentarily stunned.

"Calm down," I said, raising my hands to quiet them. Realizing they were talking about Rose, I asked, “Explain everything in detail.”

"Your photo is all over the internet, claiming you're dating Taniya," Devika explained, worry etched on her face. Aman added, "They're also reporting that you're set to marry her this year."

A surge of anger and frustration built inside me as I heard them. "Find out where this news is coming from," I demanded, my voice dripping with wrath.

"Who is this Taniya?" I turned my gaze towards Devika, my tone still lethal.

Devika stammered under the intensity of my voice, "I-it's Shukla's uncle's daughter," she said in one breath.

Mom interrupted, "Beta, you need to take care of the media first. They are all waiting outside the mansion with their cameras."